MRE Date Checker

MRE Manufacturers use a 4-digit modified julian date code to indicate the manufacture date. This code is usually stamped on the MRE box and pouch. The location of the code can vary. The first digit represents the year, and the last three digits represent the day. Date code 7304 = 304th day of 2007. Sometimes other letters representing batch numbers will be appended to the date code (i.e. 7304C). Since the official longevity of an MRE is no longer than 10 years, and the modified date code makes it impossible to determine the decade of manufacture, this calculator assumes that your MREs are not 10 years old or more.

MREStar MREs

MREStar

International Meals Supply is unique in the civilian MRE industry in that they do not produce MREs for the U.S. Government like their competitors do. But IMS is a certified supplier of emergency rations for the Department of Defense/Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. The MREStar MREs were introduced in 2006. Even though the product offering is young, it has already set itself apart because of its unique choice of entrees. Four of their six entrees are completely new but even though the other two entrees have familiar names (Beef Stew, Cheese Tortellini), they definitely have improved flavor.

Contents

IMS produces everything inside the MREStar MRE with the exception of the bakery goods (shortbread cookie). The accessory pack is more complete than others in that it contains everything you would expect - spoon, moist wipe, napkin, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, salt, and pepper. The spoon is different from the military MRE spoon - this one is shorter and wider. So wide, in fact, that it is easy to wolf down an entire entree in just a few spoonfuls. According to MREStar, the larger spoon size was actually requested by the DSCP so the food could be consumed faster by military personnel. See the spoons section on the Civilian MRE Comparison page for more information.

Heaters

MREStar MRE's are offered with the option of buying them with or without heaters. When included, the heaters are packaged in the meal bag. These heaters are the same as the military Flameless Ration Heaters that are activated with plain water. The MRESTARs with heaters cost about $8 more than without heaters.

Menus

A case of MREStar MREs comes with 12 individual meals. There are usually six different menus in each case so you get two of each menu. The menus from MREStar appear to be set for now so every case should contain the same menus. Here are the six main entrees:

Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles

Beef Stew with Potatoes and Vegetables

BBQ Chicken with Black Beans and Potatoes

Chicken Noodle Stew with Vegetables

Cheese Tortellini with Marinara Sauce

Vegetarian Chili with Beans

Here's a full menu listing from a case of MREStar MREs that was packed in October, 2006: